Abe to visit India in December

September 5, 2019

Vladivostok, Russia--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is scheduled to visit India in December, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday.

The trip by Abe is part of mutual visits by the two countries' leaders to each other's nations, Modi said during his talks with the Japanese prime minister in Vladivostok in Russia's Far East.

Modi said he hopes that before Abe's visit, the two countries will conclude an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement to allow the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the Indian military to mutually provide food and ammunition.

The Indian leader also said India and Japan are preparing to hold the first "two-plus-two" meeting of their foreign and defense ministers before Abe's visit.

Abe and Modi also exchanged views on Japan's initiative for a free and open Indo-Pacific region and the planned Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership trade agreement.

On the conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, Abe said that self-restraint is needed to prevent tensions from heightening. He said he expects the issue to be resolved peacefully through dialogue. Jiji Press